Erwan Le Corre is the founder of MovNat, an innovative physical fitness approach that is grounded in ancient physical fitness practices and a broader understanding of human movement and health. Get a taste of what Erwan’s philosophy is all about with these exclusive workouts.
Click here to read more about Erwan’s unique approach to physical fitness.
To learn more about Erwan, read our feature interview:
Featured Coach: Erwan Le Corre, Part 1 – The Roots of MovNat
Featured Coach: Erwan Le Corre, Part 2 – Freedom of Movement and Mind
Week Two: Context-Adaptive Locomotive Drills (Unloaded)
Wait, you really thought MovNat HAD to be trained outdoors, barefoot and shirtless? Not at all. MovNat can be done anywhere. While a primal contact with nature is great for health and well being, it is not mandatory, and sometimes simply not the most practical. The primary goal is to have you move naturally, i.e., perform movement patterns that have practical and adaptive value in the real world. If you want to practice those drills in a more convenient indoors setting, go for it! They will be equally beneficial to you.
This week you are being introduced to “context-adaptive” locomotive drills, i.e. unloaded movements that must adapt to environmental demands. Some moves are similar to those of the first week and others are new and more challenging. Expect more reps right off the bat as the first week of practice should have loosened up your joints a little.
At first, train with simple and safe props as indicated. You are free to increase complexity and challenge as long as it is not detrimental to movement quality (or your own safety). For instance, instead of using a 2×4, you may use a rounded metal bar. Ultimately, movements may have to adapt to real-world parameters that can be significantly more demanding, but if you’re a beginner don’t be a jackass and don’t underestimate the challenge of a simple 2×4 board.
Keep focusing on mindful, quality movement patterns, including joint stability, a tall posture, as well as a strong, yet slow and relaxed abdominal breathing.
Practice each drill separately so you become familiar with both the new drills and the new environmental demands. Again, you may follow the specific number of reps indicated, or you may solely focus on sensations instead and practice as long as the movement feels beneficial to you.
Props:
- A hurdle, dowel, or broom stick. You’ll place this between 2 chairs (2 buckets, 2 boxes, 2 piles of books, whatever). You could also attach a piece of string between 2 chairs (or 2 trees, 2 neighbors – you get the point).
- An 8 to 12 foot 2×4 board. Costs less than five bucks if you don’t have one or can’t borrow one somewhere. Or anything that looks like a long, narrow surface like that, that is stable, and that you can keep at ground level so you keep the training safe.
- A yoga mat. Only if you haven’t mentally toughened up yet. Don’t you know strength is also and primarily in the mind?
Week 2, Day 2
(See video demonstrations below)
- Stepping Over Hurdle x 10: Perform dynamically, avoid counterbalancing with your arms. Switch sides.
- Stepping Under Hurdle x 10: Perform dynamically, avoid rounding the back. Switch sides.
- Lateral Figure Four Sitting to Tall Split Kneeling x 12
- Deep Knee Bend to Tall Deep Knee Bend x 8: Perform while balancing. Avoid counterbalancing. Hold the tall stance 10 seconds each time.
- Deep Squat to Tall Kneeling x 15
- Dynamic Deep Knee Bend x 10: Perform while balancing. Avoid counterbalancing. Start standing and get back to a standing position.
- Slow and Controlled Deep Knee Bend Stances x 10: Perform while balancing. Start standing, lower your body slowly, and hold the deep stance for 10 seconds.
Stepping Over Hurdle:
Stepping Under Hurdle:
Lateral Figure Four Sitting to Tall Split Kneeling:
Deep Knee Bend to Tall Deep Knee Bend:
Deep Squat to Tall Kneeling:
Dynamic Deep Knee Bend:
Slow and Controlled Deep Knee Bend Stances:
